@sneakypete
But I remember reading some statistics around the time the Dahmer case was all over the airwaves that linked childhood abuse of animals to more violent crimes later on. Now Dahmer was an extreme case and I'm sure there were other mental health issues which fueled his cannibalism, but I'm guessing he thought if he could torture animals as a child with impunity, he could graduate to humans.
@Applewood I ain't no shrink and don't even play one on teebee,but IIRC,that is a common trait amongst serial killers.
Since most children learn about empathy from taking care of a puppy or kitten,torturing and killing a puppy or kitten is a sure sign of a sociopath.
BTW,I feed the abandoned cats behind a local grocery store every night,and last summer I had some SOB stop while driving past,and lean out his window and order me to "Stop feeding those cats! I hate cats,and am going to go get my rifle and come back and kill them all!"
I told him to go for it,and I would kill him when he tried,and haven't seen him since. I did go back the next day at the same time and cruise the parking lot looking for his truck,and then go inside the store to get a closer look at him,but never saw anyone in there that reminded me of him (I needed new glasses at the time),and the truck was gone when I went back outside. I haven't seen him or the truck since.